Flip officially names assistants

Flip Saunders and the Wizards have officially come to agreements with both Randy Wittman and Sam Cassell to be members of his coaching staff.

“Randy and Sam will be excellent additions to our coaching staff, and both will be instrumental in helping us achieve our goals,” Saunders said in a press releasae. “Randy brings a wealth of experience as a former head coach of two different teams and is very familiar with my system. I always regarded Sam as a coach on the floor during his playing days, and he brings instant credibility as a three-time NBA champion and a proven winner.”

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Wittman coached under Saunders in Minnesota and then suceeded him for a brief stint after the Timberwolves fired Flip. He has a little history with D.C. having been drafted 22nd overall by the Bullets in 1983. Whitman played nine seasons in the NBA for Atlanta, Sacramento and Indiana.

Cassell is a 15-year NBA vet, having won three championships (two with the Rockets and one in Boston). He has ties to Saunders, having played for him in Minnesota, and Ernie Grunfeld, having played for him in Milwaukee.

“After 15 seasons playing in this league, I have accomplished all that I have dreamed of as a player,” Cassell said in a press release. “Now the time has come for to me to take my love for the game to the coaching ranks and pass on what I’ve learned. This team is loaded with talent, and it’s a great way for me to start my coaching career.”

Both assistants will speak to the media on Friday morning at Verizon Center.